For a dehumidifier, you mainly need a sufficiently large capacity, a tank that doesn't fill up too often, a safety feature that switches it off when the tank is full, and a timer. A night mode is convenient in the bedroom. Ambient lighting or extra features are nice, but rarely decisive.
Which features are most important?
A dehumidifier has only one core task: removing moisture from the air. Anything that helps with that is useful, the rest is comfort. So when comparing, first focus on the basics and only then look at the extras. Otherwise, you'll pay for features you rarely use.
The basics consist of three things. First, the capacity, expressed in millilitres or litres per day, which must suit the size of your room. Second, the water tank: the larger it is, the less often you have to empty it. Third, the safety feature that switches off the device when the tank is full, so that nothing overflows and the device does not keep running without effect.
Timer: handy, but mainly for those who are not home all day
A timer lets you determine how long the dehumidifier runs, so you don't have to let it work day and night. This aligns with the advice of Milieu Centraal: dehumidifiers only work in small, enclosed spaces and use a lot of electricity, and they do not replace ventilation. Read more about this in the article on ventilating homes at Milieu Centraal. A timer can then help limit use to when it is needed, for example after showering or on a day when you are drying laundry indoors.
How long you leave a dehumidifier on per day depends on the moisture level in your room. You can find more about this in how long a dehumidifier should be left on per day.
Night mode: mainly for the bedroom
A night mode switches off the screen, so there is no light in the room while you sleep. You will mainly notice the difference in a bedroom, where a glowing display can be disruptive. Want to know if you can even leave a dehumidifier on at night? Then read whether a dehumidifier can be left on while you sleep. Keep in mind that the night mode on the DH251 switches off the display; information about the noise level is not in the product specifications, so compare that yourself if silence is important to you.
What humidity level do you want to achieve?
The KNMI calls an indoor humidity level between 40 and 60 percent pleasant. See the KNMI explanation about dry indoor air in winter. Indoors, the relative humidity is usually between 60 and 70 percent according to the KNMI, which shows why you want to measure it: read what relative humidity means. Without a meter, you won't know if the dehumidifier is doing anything. You can read more about the ideal value in winter in what the ideal indoor humidity level is in winter.
| Feature | Why it is useful | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Sufficient capacity | Determines whether the room becomes dry enough | Yes |
| Large water tank | You have to empty it less often | Yes |
| Full tank safety feature | Switches off the device so nothing overflows | Yes |
| Timer | Limits the running time and electricity consumption | Recommended |
| Night mode | Display off in the bedroom | Handy for the bedroom |
| Ambient lighting | Cozy atmosphere | Not necessary |
For what a full tank means for your routine, read how often you have to empty the water tank of a dehumidifier.
The AirPure DH251 at a glance
The AirPure DH251 combines these basic features in a compact device that is easy to move from room to room.
Dehumidification: up to 900 ml per day, suitable for rooms up to 55 m²
Water tank: 3800 ml, with a safety sensor that switches off the device when the tank is full
Timer and night mode: timer function from 1 to 24 hours, night mode with display off
Consumption and size: 80 watts, 2.5 kg, dimensions 24 x 13.4 x 37 cm
Extras: ambient light with various colors
View the AirPure DH251 dehumidifier or the entire collection of Dynter dehumidifiers.
Direct answer: first look at capacity, tank size, and a full tank safety feature. A timer and night mode are handy. Extras such as ambient lighting are nice but not necessary for a dry room.
Frequently asked questions
Is a timer on a dehumidifier really necessary?
Not strictly necessary, but handy. This way you limit the running time to when it is needed and keep electricity consumption under control.
What does a night mode do?
On the DH251, the night mode switches off the display, so there is no light in the bedroom.
Why is a full tank safety feature important?
As soon as the tank is full, the device switches off. This way nothing overflows and the dehumidifier does not continue running unnecessarily.
Does a dehumidifier replace ventilation?
No. According to Milieu Centraal, dehumidifiers do not replace ventilation. So keep ventilating and airing out.